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NPR's Adam Hochberg reports that the insurance commissioner in Florida is threatening to revoke the license of the Prudential Insurance company to do business in his state. The commissioner is unhappy with a proposed settlement to reimburse thousands of customers who were sold unnecessary life insurance policies.

Noah has a remembrance of country singer Faron Young (FAIR-enn), who died today of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police found Young yesterday at his home. A former member of the Grand Old Opry, Young is best-known for his 1961 hit, "Hello Walls," which hit number one on the country charts.

formerly part of the Soviet Union, now an independent state. Uzbekistan is redefining its historical past. It now traces its origins to the 14th Century conqueror, Emir Timur, known in the West as Tamerlane.

For the first time since 1979, Iraqi oil started flowing to markets legally today. It's a result of the UN oil-for-food resolution that relaxes the stringent embargo against Saddam Hussein's nation. US officials express confidence that the UN-monitored oil sales will not erode the general sanctions program and the grand coalition that opposed Saddam Hussein in Desert Storm. But analysts are not so sure. They expect nations in the region will see the deal as a green light to resume trading and smuggling with Iraq. NPR's Ted Clark reports.

Thousands of new state laws also go into effect today. NPR's David Molpus reports that some of them deal with child support and driving under the influence of intoxicants.

and what the reaction has been so far on Capitol Hill.

NPR's Martha Raddatz reports on another hearing on Capitol Hill today, discussing the effects of possible chemical exposure during the Persian Gulf War. The Pentagon announced today that it is looking for scientists to conduct more studies on how low-level exposure to chemical weapons affects both people and animals. The research is part of the Pentagon's efforts to solve the mystery of why thousands of veterans who fought in the Gulf War have suffered a range of ailments including nausea, chronic fatigue and memory loss.

has agreed on a plan to eliminate certain tariffs.

Noah talks with Ken Auletta, who writes about the media for The New Yorker, about reports today that Michael Ovitz is stepping down as the number-two executive for the Walt Disney Company. Auletta says that Ovitz' apparent departure is not surprising to industry- watchers...there have been many tensions within the company in the last six months.

The White House announced an agreement with several airlines today, under which the carriers will make sure that their cargo holds have fire detectors. The decision is a result of the ValuJet crash in the Everglades that killed 110 people last May. Investigators say the accident was caused by fire in the cargo hold. NPR's Steve Inskeep has a report.